Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to attend the 2025 Esri User Conference virtually. While I wasn’t physically in San Diego, I still came away with a renewed sense of purpose—and a better understanding of how I can continue to grow as a GIS analyst and mapmaker, even while navigating an uncertain career transition.
One of the most striking takeaways? A good map doesn’t just display data—it tells a story. And that’s something I’ve been trying to do with Terra Curiosity all along.
What I Learned
Here are a few key insights from the conference that really resonated with me and that I plan to apply going forward:
- Map Layouts Matter:
Several speakers emphasized that less is more when it comes to map layout. Clean, minimalist design helps guide the viewer’s eye and prioritize what matters. Overloaded legends or visual noise can drown out your message. - Color & Symbol Choice Should Reinforce the Narrative:
Many sessions also showed how color gradients, transparency, and even icon shapes can shift the emotional tone of a map. A map of global happiness, for example, used warm-to-cool tones to reinforce hope vs. concern. I’d like to revisit some of my earlier maps and evaluate whether the visual choices I made are supporting or muddying my message. - Generative AI is Emerging, But Human Insight Still Matters:
Esri is increasingly incorporating Generative AI into spatial workflows, including design suggestions and map layout automation. But while these tools are exciting, I still believe that human discernment and context are irreplaceable. I even made a comment in the Q&A chat to that effect—arguing that while I have used Generative AI to help with my research and in generating Python scripts, Python remains a key GIS skill, even with AI tools on the rise. I’m grateful to have started building up my comfort level here—and it’s something I’ll continue to work on, both through Terra Curiosity and freelance opportunities. - The Work I Care About Is Being Done:
CALFIRE’s wildfire presentation, the San Francisco Airport’s use of GIS to monitor aircraft in real time, and the Smithsonian’s archaeological storytelling—these sessions reminded me that there are real organizations doing the kind of meaningful spatial work I want to be part of. It gave me renewed confidence that my interests do have a place in the professional world
Next Steps for Terra Curiosity
Over the next few months, I plan to revisit and enhance several of my existing and upcoming projects using insights from Esri UC:
- Mapping For Resilience:
I’ll reevaluate the legend clarity, symbol sizing, and color ramp to improve readability—especially for non-GIS audiences. A cleaner layout and simplified visual hierarchy should make the evacuation routes stand out more clearly. - Mapping the Flames:
After watching CALFIRE’s powerful presentation and Flora Vale’s session on spatial storytelling, I’m inspired to go back and refine the cartographic design of my wildfire maps—clarifying the message, improving the layout, and better tying the visuals to the narrative. I want the maps I create to feel as purposeful and polished as the ones showcased at the conference. - Future Project: Bridging the Divide
Once I return to this biodiversity-focused project, I’ll apply everything I’ve learned about map aesthetics, narrative flow, and thematic focus. Whether I incorporate AI tools or stick with traditional design workflows, the goal will be the same: maps that speak clearly and meaningfully to both technical and non-technical audiences.